Sisters' Stories

Women

• Widow's Family Narrowly Escapes Arson

  

  In September 2015, Siriman Kintu was beheaded because he converted from Islam to Christianity. He left behind his wife Kanifa Namulondo, who had also converted, along with their five children.

  Following her husband's death, Kanifa and her children fled their home in Kaliro, Uganda. However, she recently determined to return to the village and, with the help of friends, rebuilt the house. On April 25th, she moved back into the home with her children.

• Christian Man's Wife Seized by Opposing Family

  

  A Saudi believer identified only as "A" has been facing legal challenges after openly speaking about his conversion to Christianity, as well as assisting his Christian sister to flee the country (read more). While frivolous charges of theft against him were dropped in April (see report here), he continues to endure further court challenges and added personal concerns. His next court hearing is scheduled for May 30th.

• Numerous Attacks Lead to Killings and Kidnappings

  

  One person was killed, another wounded, and four women were abducted, when the Haske Baptist Church in Manini village, Nigeria, was attacked during a worship service on April 25th. Healthcare worker Zacharia Dogon Yaro was killed, and Shehu Haruna was injured. According to one of the worshippers, "[The attackers] surrounded the church and started shooting.... They shot at us randomly and at anyone they sighted." The Fulani gunmen then seized Charity Musa, Rose Zacharia, Alheri Bala and Liatu Zakka as they left.

• Christian Woman Seriously Injured for Her Faith

  

  A mother of seven children in eastern Uganda has suffered serious wounds and, consequently, was forced to flee after her husband and other Muslim relatives attacked her on Easter Sunday for converting to Christianity.

• Recently Arrested Christian Prisoners Released

  

  Earlier this month, it was reported that 23 women had been arrested at a prayer meeting in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, along with 12 others in the city of Assab. (To review a previously posted report, go to our country report, where there is also a link to a video-recorded interview addressing these recent incidents.) In a surprising move, all but one of the Christians arrested in Asmara were released on April 11th. Typically, believers who have been arrested in Eritrea are held without charges against them, and not permitted any legal representation, for extended periods of time --- sometimes many years.

• Two Christian Nurses Accused of Blasphemy

  

  On April 9th, Maryam Lal and Navish Arooj were directed by a senior nurse to clean up the walls of the Civil Hospital in Faisalabad, Pakistan, by removing any wall hangings or stickers found. When the Christians did as they were told, they were accused of desecrating wall hangings containing verses from the Quran. The two nurses have now been formally charged with blasphemy against Islam.

• Christian Fined for Distributing Magazines

  

  This past Christmas, a neighbourhood celebration in Uzbekistan was hosted by Tatyana Akhmadiyeva, a member of a local Baptist church. At the event, she offered Christian magazines to 15 of her neighbours. Local authorities received a report about the distribution and summoned Tatyana for questioning. She was told that the publications had been imported illegally, since they had not been evaluated by the "Struggle with Extremism and Terrorism Department." As a result, the officials confiscated the magazines, which they claimed were unlawfully distributed, and fined Tatyana the equivalent of two weeks' average wages.

• Pastor's Wife Rescued from Forced Prostitution

  

  Pastor Ramdrash and his wife Sunita have been ministering in a small church since 2001. Over the years, they've endured frequent threats from members of the surrounding community. On February 21st, Sunita was approached by someone in the village who asked if she would come pray for someone who had allegedly been ill. She innocently went with the villager, and then all of a sudden disappeared.

• Prison Summons Expected Soon

  

  Iranian believers request prayer for Christian converts Homayoun Zhaveh (62) and his wife Sara Ahmadi (42), who are anticipating an order to serve prison sentences because of their house church activities.

• Pastor's Relatives Raped and Church Threatened

  

   

  In late January of this year, the wife of Caled Bwambale Hussein, the imam of Kasese, Uganda, came to faith in Christ and was baptized on February 6th. A week later, her husband heard the news and began to plot retribution. When Mariam Mbambu found out from a Christian neighbour that her husband intended to kill her, she fled with her five children, finding refuge through the local church.